Little Rock’s Rock Town Distillery has officially dropped a major surprise release — a 7-year-old Single Barrel Rum, bottled at a staggering 149.4 proof.
This is the oldest rum Rock Town has ever released, and with proof pushing deep into HAZMAT territory (over 140 proof), it fits perfectly into the newest high-octane trend sweeping the whiskey and rum world.

Barrel #85 was aged for seven full years in used bourbon barrels, developing enormous depth, heavy molasses richness, and concentrated tropical intensity that only long aging in Arkansas’s dramatic climate can produce.

This is not only a rare rum for Arkansas — it’s a rare rum anywhere.

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Rock Town Single Barrel Rum – Release Details

• Age: 7 Years (Oldest Rum Ever Released by Rock Town)
• Barrel: #85
• Proof: 149.4 (HAZMAT!)
• Barrel Type: Used Bourbon Barrels
• Distilled From: Louisiana Blackstrap Molasses
• Process: Double-distilled in Rock Town’s copper pot still
• Bottled By: Rock Town Distillery – Little Rock, Arkansas

From the label:

“Rock Town’s single barrel rum was double distilled in our copper pot still from Louisiana Blackstrap Molasses.”

This bottling marks a milestone for Arkansas craft spirits. Rock Town has released many celebrated rums in the past — including their toasted barrel rum, cask-strength editions, and seasonal favorites — but none aged this long and none hitting this kind of explosive proof.

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What to Expect From a 149.4-Proof Arkansas Rum

Hazmat-level rum is rare. Seven-year hazmat rum from a craft distillery in the American South? Almost unheard of.

At this extreme proof, expect:

• Thick caramelized molasses
• Baking spice intensity
• Concentrated barrel sweetness
• Notes of charred sugar, dark fruit, and toasted oak
• A warm, lasting finish that goes on forever

Arkansas’s hot summers and fluctuating humidity accelerate rum maturation, causing high evaporation and intense flavor concentration. A rum surviving seven years in this climate—without the proof dropping—is an absolute anomaly.

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Background: Rock Town Distillery – Arkansas’s First Legal Distillery Since Prohibition

Founded in 2010 by Phil Brandon, Rock Town Distillery is Arkansas’s first legal distillery to open since Prohibition. Built from the ground up in Little Rock, Rock Town quickly earned national recognition as one of the most innovative and quality-driven craft distilleries in the United States.

What sets Rock Town apart:

Arkansas Ingredients

Rock Town sources nearly all grains within a 125-mile radius of the distillery, supporting local agriculture and giving their whiskey and rum a distinct regional character.

Award-Winning Spirits

Rock Town has won numerous national and international awards, including top honors from:

• San Francisco World Spirits Competition
• Beverage Tasting Institute
• World Gin Awards
• ACSA Craft Spirits Awards

Their lineup includes:

• Arkansas Straight Bourbon
• Arkansas Straight Rye
• Single Barrel Bourbons
• Bottled-in-Bond Whiskeys
• Rock Town Rum
• Gin, Vodka, Liqueurs, and special limited releases

Hands-On Craft Distillation

Rock Town operates copper pot stills, performs all fermentation onsite, and controls every step from grain to glass. Their aging warehouse—exposed to Arkansas’s extreme seasonal swings—turns out spirits with bold, accelerated maturation.

Innovation & Arkansas Pride

Whether it’s experimenting with different barrel types, aging methods, grains, or proof levels, Rock Town continues to push the envelope while highlighting Arkansas craftsmanship.

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Why This Release Matters

This 7-year rum isn’t just another single barrel—it’s a landmark bottle representing:

• The oldest rum Rock Town has released
• One of the highest-proof spirits ever bottled in Arkansas
• A rare example of long-aged American rum
• A hazmat-level barrel at a moment when the high-proof trend is exploding
• A showcase of how far Rock Town has come since opening in 2010

For collectors, rum enthusiasts, and devoted Rock Town fans, this bottle is a must-grab.